Carbon Sequestration Through an Urban Forest

Varying Sequestration Rates by Species

Monica Szarvas, Evan Neims, Fletcher Klaykamp, Haleigh Ryneski

Outline

• Definitions• Hypothesis• Field Work• Forest Reserves• Biomass Equation• Thuja Plicata (Western Red

Cedar)

• Alnus Rubra (Red Alder)

• Acer Macrophyllum (Bigleaf Maple)

• Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas-fir)

• Urban Forestry co-benefits

• Additional Areas of study

• Citations

Definitions

• An Urban Forest is defined as a dense population of trees in a city.

• This could be anything from Olympia street trees to the TESC’s forest reserves

http://landarchs.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Trees_05.jpg

Hypothesis

•Hypotheses: Certain species of trees can sequester more carbon than other species

•Alternative: Non-Native trees sequester more carbon

•Null: All species of trees sequester the same amount of carbon

Szarvas,2014

Field Work

• Used diameter tape measures

• Measured 3 of each species

• Got an average DBH• converted inches to cm

http://www.friendsofbalcones.org/Content/Pictures/Picture.ashx?PicId=248214

Biomass Equation

•Biomass is the mass of organisms by area or volume•It is measured for purposed of estimated carbon pools, estimate forest carbon dynamics at a large scale and estimate carbon for research purposes.

Biomass Equation: bm = Exp(B0 + B1 lndbh)

•bm = total above ground mass (kg)•dbh = diameter at breast height (cm)•exp = exponential function•ln = natural log base (“e” 2.718282)

Thuja PlicataWestern Red Cedar

• “Tree of Life”• Tremendous spiritual significance

• Above ground biomass- 64756.93 lbs• Carbon Sequestered -32,378. 46• Average lifespan -220 years• Mature tree sequestration rate- 147 lbs

image credit: http://www.clipartbest.com/cliparts/Kcn/eqz/Kcneqz57i.png

Alnus RubraRed Alder

• Also called Oregon alder, western alder, and Pacific coast alder

• The Red Alder is the only commercial tree species west of the Rocky Mountains with the capability to fix atmospheric nitrogen

• Relatively short-lived, intolerant pioneer with rapid juvenile growth

__________________________________• Aboveground biomass- 6732.12 lbs• Carbon Sequestered -3,366 lbs• Average lifespan -50 years• Mature tree sequestration rate- 56 lbs

http://tidcf.nrcan.gc.ca/images_web/imfc/arbres/dessins/moyen/GR11_Alnus_rub_silhouette.gif

Acer Macro PhyllumBigleaf Maple

Above ground biomass: 268219.1964 lbsCarbon Sequestered -134,109 lbsLifespan: 190 yearsSequestration rate- 705 lbs

http://tidcf.nrcan.gc.ca/images_web/imfc/arbres/dessins/moyen/GR08_Acer_mac_silhouette.gif

pseudotsuga menziesiiDouglas-fir

• The above ground biomass - 149,887.9846 lbs

• 47,938 lbs• Average lifespan -500

years• Mature tree sequestration

rate-149 lbs

• the future of Douglas-fir in western North America is highly uncertain due to the expected changes in climate conditions.

• analysis indicates a sensitivity of Douglas-fir to climate and suggests that significant changes in North America are to be expected under climate change

• By 2090, the amount of potential Douglas-fir habitat is projected to change little in terms of area (–4%). However, the habitat is expected to shift from coastal areas of North America to the interior

image credit: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/db/a3/24/dba3247de0ae7418ed650c719847549f.jpg

Mitigating Climate Change through an Urban Forest

• Population density and temperature increase in urban areas• Trees cool temperatures• Carbon sink• Urban Forests and Energy Conservation• Lower crime rates• Reduce air/water pollution• strengthen communities

Additional Areas of Study

• Emission rates compared to sequestration• Carbon Cycle and Tree life Cycle • Urban Street trees in Olympia sequestration

rates• Plasticity of native species

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Kevin M. McFarland, Campus Reserves Forest Species Composition Report, 2007

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http://oldvsyounggrowthforestasoffset.weebly.com/why-is-it-controversial.html

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http://www.na.fs.fed.us/pubs/silvics_manual/volume_2/alnus/rubra.htm

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